On the brink of history

FOCUS IS ALL ON HIM: Bangladesh bowling spearhead Mashrafe bin Mortaza is captured through the viewfinder of a camera during a press conference at the Shre-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. The Narail Express was a key component of the Tigers victory over New Zealand and will look to continue where he left off today.Photo: Anisur Rahman

The question as to whether the Tigers will yet again be consistently inconsistent remains ahead of the today's second one-day against New Zealand in the three-match series.
Now it is only Mohammad Ashraful's men who can disprove this fact by winning two consecutive games to make history at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
For the first time Bangladesh have taken the upper hand with a thumping seven-wicket win in the first match of the series against the visitors which now paves the way for them to clinch a one-day series against a top-ranked opponents.
And keeping to character vice-captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who laid the foundation for the win with a four-wicket haul, made a clear statement: "It's a very good chance for us to win a series against a formidable side. I think everybody realized that we got such a good chance for the first time by winning the first match".
Bangladesh captain Moha-mmad Ashraful however was more calculative, like his different-style batting in the first match, as he was not ready to talk about a series victory rather focusing on consistency.
"The difference between yesterday's (Thursday) and the other match was that we implemented the things which we had been trying for last few months under the guidance of our coach. And what we will have to make sure is that we follow it in the next game," said Ashraful, the relieved man not only because of first major victory under his captaincy but also for returning amongst runs after a long lean patch.
"We are not overjoyed with the first-match victory and I think the boys are hardly thinking about the series win rather all are focused on giving their best in the next two games. We know they (New Zealand) will try their best to come hard on us, so we have to show our best in all departments," he warned.
Besides good batting, bowling and fielding, how important was it to win the toss on a very tricky wicket, Ashraful replied: "It's always nice if you won the toss but you can't expect to win the toss in every match. Definitely I want to win the toss especially if there had any rain in the early morning like in the first game."
His deputy Mashrafe was also little bothered with the coin-fate rather he wanted the best individual performance from his mate in the second game.
"The guys are mentally in good shape after the convincing victory in the first match. But it's true that we had lost the rhythm for a long period in the past after a good victory and I think we can overcome the situation if everybody is concentrated on his own performance. Everybody have to have the self-confidence," said the "Narail Express".
"It's very simple that New Zealand will come hard after the defeat but we have to play positive cricket like we did in the first game. We will definitely get the result if we can play as per our potential. We can win the series and I am really hopeful," said the brave-heart cricketer.
Mashrafe admitted that New Zealand played bad shots and will not make the same mistakes in the second game.
"I am confident about winning a match against them even if they come up with their best. We need to do our best… nothing else," said the confident Bangladesh vice-captain.
Many thought that Mirpur is the best track for the Tigers to make the history rather than Chittagong.
The body language of the players during the practice session at Mirpur yesterday prior to the second match however also gave an impression that the Tigers were ready to roar again but in that case they have to rewrite everything.